Mandela Washington Fellowship 2026 Reciprocal Exchange (Round 1) | Grants up to $20,000

Mandela Washington Fellowship 2026: Overview

The Reciprocal Exchange Component of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders (the flagship program of YALI) creates opportunities for collaboration between U.S. professionals and Fellowship Alumni from Sub-Saharan Africa.

Launched in 2014, this initiative is funded by the U.S. Department of State, administered by IREX, and designed to strengthen partnerships, expand markets, and foster cross-continental collaboration. Through in-person or hybrid projects, U.S. professionals and Alumni co-create impactful, short-term initiatives addressing local challenges.

Mandela Washington Fellowship 2026: Eligibility

For U.S. Professionals

• Must be U.S. citizens currently residing in the U.S.

• Cannot be employees or immediate family members of U.S. Government staff.

• May participate in a maximum of two in-person Reciprocal Exchanges.

For Fellowship Alumni

• Must be recognized Alumni in good standing by the U.S. Department of State.

• Cannot be employees or immediate family members of U.S. Government staff.

• Must reside in the proposed project country and be present throughout implementation.

• Alumni from all cohorts are eligible to apply.

Benefits

• Funding:

  • Up to $5,000 per U.S. participant (in-person projects, max $20,000 for 4 participants).

  • Up to $3,000 per project (hybrid projects).

• Visa Support: IREX covers visa fees and service costs (except Nigeria, where applicants must apply directly).

• Capacity Building: Execute short-term projects (up to 4 weeks) with direct community impact.

• Networking: Expand U.S.–Africa professional networks and gain new market opportunities.

• Knowledge Exchange: U.S. professionals share project lessons with U.S. communities and organizations post-implementation.

Fellowship/Program Components

• Hybrid Exchange: U.S. professionals participate virtually while Alumni implement activities locally.

• In-Person Exchange: U.S. professionals travel to Sub-Saharan Africa to co-implement projects.

• Focus Areas: Entrepreneurship, education, governance, health, leadership, innovation, and social impact.

Application Requirements

Applicants must:

• Submit a joint application (U.S. professional + Fellowship Alum).

• Provide a clear project plan with measurable goals and activities.

• Submit a budget proposal aligned with funding ceilings.

• Agree to Terms & Conditions and provide banking details for fund disbursement.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Impact on the Alumni’s organization, community, and country.

• Mutual benefit to U.S. organizations, businesses, or communities.

• Evidence of equal collaboration in project design and delivery.

• A realistic and measurable implementation plan.

• Potential for sustainable outcomes beyond the project.

Application Process

• Deadline: September 19, 2025

• Notification of Award: December 2025

• Grant Period: February 1 – June 30, 2026

For more information and application: 

Visit the official website of the Mandela Washington Fellowship 2026 Reciprocal Exchange (Round 1) | Grants up to $20,000